davis



2 vSheats- Sheet` 1.

Patented Peb. 16, 1897.

(No Model.)

W. F.. DAVIS. ELECTRIC IGNITER FOR EXPLOSIVE ENGINES. Nox 577,158.

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W. F. DAVIS. ELEGTMG IGNITBR PoR 4EXPLosIvB ENGINES.

No.l 577,158. Ptented'reb. 16, 1897.,

lll C' i WWW Z//////////////////////////// llmmull UNITED STATI-3s PATENT OFFICE.

IVILLIAM F. DAVIS, OF IVATERLOO, IOWA, ASSIGNOR TO THE DAVISV GASOLINE ENGINE COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

ELECTRIC IGNITER FOR EXPLOSlVE-ENGINES.

SPECIFICATION forming partof Letters Patent No. 577,158, dated February 16, 1897. Application tiled September 24,1896. Serial No. 606,875. (No model.)

To all whom. it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM F. DAvIs, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Waterloo, in the county of Black Hawk and State'of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Igniters for Explosive-Engines; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same,`ref erence being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this speciiication.

This invention relates to improvements in electric igniters for explosive-engines, and has for its object to Vprovide a simple, cheap, and effective device that can be readily applied to an engine, the particular construction of the parts insuring the production of a spark at each reciprocation of the piston, and also provides for manually operating the working electrode in the same manner as is accomplished by the piston.

With the above ends in view the invention consists in the particular construction and combination of the parts to present a stationary electrode insulated from the supportingframe, and aworking electrodecomprising a rock-bar having a bent end with beveled terminal which engages the stationary electrode, the working electrode being held normally in contact with the stationary electrode by 'a spring and operated against the action of said spring to break the circuit and cause a spark either by the hand-lever connected thereto or by a projection on the piston which contacts with the bent end thereof, as hereinafter fully set forth and particularly claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, Figure lis a longitudinal sectional view through the cylinder of an explosive-engine, showing my electric igniter applied. Fig. 2 is a plan view of Fig. l with a diagram of the electric connections. Fig. 3 is a detail view illustrating the contact-points of the electrodes. Fig. 4 is a detail view of the operating-arm carried by the piston. Fig. 5 is a sectional view of a modification of the invention, the electrodes being positioned vertically oir-parallel with the' head of the cylinder in contradistinction to the position shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a sectional view on the line 6 6 of Fig. 5.

A designates the cylinder of an explosive` engine, and A the head thereof, the latter being provided with a central opening a, covered bya frame or casting B, which supports my improved electric igniting device. The cylinder and cylinder-head are of ordinary construction and provided With Water-spaces, as shown, the cylinder containing a piston A2, which is adapted to reciprocate therein, and is connected in the usual manner to a crankshaft. (Not shown.)

The frame or casting B is shaped to present abase b, having integral projections forming housings b and b2, which support the electrodes hereinafter described, the base being apertured to receive bolts or screws which enter the cylinder-head and secure the frame or casting thereto.

C designates the stationary electrode, which 'consists of a bar of steel or other suitable metal positioned centrally within the housing h to leave a space surrounding said bar, the lower or inner end of the opening or chamber of the housing having an asbestos packing cl, which embraces the electrode and insulates the'saine from the frame or casting B. The opposite end of the electrode is provided with an asbestos sleeve or packing d', over which is placed a thimble D, that enters the end of the housing, said thirnble being held in place by a nut D', which engages said housing, as shown. This construction and arrangement properly insulatcs the stationary electrode,

and it will be noted that the lower or inner end projects into the space a of the cylinder, While the outer end projects beyond the nut D and is provided with a transverse hole and set-screw for connecting one of the Wires from the battery thereto.

C designates the working electrode, consisting of a metal bar, preferably steel, which has a bearing in the housing b2, as Well as in a thimble E and nut E", connected to the outer end of said housing. The inner end of this electrode or bar C is bent at right angles with the body portion, and the terminal is beveled to present an inclined surface, which contacts normally with one side of the inner IOO end portion of the stationary electrode C, the outer end of the working electrode having a hole and set-screw for connecting thereto the other wire from the battery. This electrode is held against longitudinal movement in its bearings by means of a collar c, which bears against the inner side of the casting B, and a collar c', which engages the nut E', the collar c/ having a set-screw g and projecting handle G to provide for operating the electrode manually, as hereinafter explained. A helical spring II is connected to the handle G and engine to hold or bring the electrodes normally in contact.

To the end of the piston A2 adjoining the cylinder-head A is adj ustably secured an arm F, which projects therefrom a sufficient distance to engage the bent end of the working electrode C and move the same out of contact with the stationary electrode when said piston reaches the limit of its movement toward the head A. This arm is attached to the piston by engaging a threaded aperture therein and is held in proper adjustment by a set-nut f. With the electrodes arranged as shown in Fig. l the outer end of the arm F is beveled to provide an inclined surface which bears against the bent end of the working electrode and shifts the same to one side or out of contact with the stationary electrode, whereas when the electrodes are arranged as shown in Figs. 5 and G the end of said arm F engages the working electrode in such manner as to push the bent end thereof away from the stationary electrode.

The mechanism for introducing gas into the cylinder may be of any approved construction, as my invention relates only to the igniting of the same in the cylinder by devices which produce an electric spark, said devices being controlled automatically by the piston and manually by the lever G.

Then it is desired to start the engine, a sufficient quantity of gas is admitted into the cylinder and the lever is then thrown or operated to move the working electrode out of contact with the stationary electrode, which causes a spark that i gnites the gas, exploding the same to move the piston, and as said piston is returned by the momentum of the flywheel the arm F will act to separate the electrodes, in the meantime the lever having been released to permit the spring II to bring the working electrode in contact with the stationary electrode and complete the circuit from the battery. 'lh us the circuit is broken and a spark produced at each reciprocation of the piston by reason of the arm F working the electrode C against the action of the spring II.

It will be noted that by reason of the beveled or inclined surface of the working electrode said electrode wedges against the stationary electrode and always keeps the contact-points clean and bright, thereby insuring a proper electric contact when the parts are together. It will also be noted that the handle enables the operator to know at all times whether the igniter is working properly and to start the engine with ease and certainty. The construction is simple and compact, and the arrangement permits the part-s to be readily taken apart for examination or adjustment.

One of the wires ,fromv the battery is provided with an ordinary switch to break the circuit when the engine is not in use.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. An electric igniter for explosive engines consisting of a stationary electrode C and a working electrode C supported parallel with each other in a suitable frame and insulated substantially as shown, the working electrode comprising a rock-bar the inner end of which is bent at an angle to contact with one side of the stationary electrode, and a handle G secured to the outer end of said working electrode; together with a spring for holding the electrodes normally in contact with each other, and an arm projecting from the piston of the engine to engage the bent end of the working electrode and move the same against the action of the spring at cach reciprocation of said piston, for the purpose set forth.

2. In combination with an explosive-engine, of the stationary electrode@` having an end projecting within the cylinder, a working electrode C comprising a rock-bar one end of which projects within the cylinder and is bent at an angle to contact with one side of the inner end of the stationary electrode, a handle mounted on the outer end of the working electrode or rock-bar, and a spring connected to said handle and to a stationary part of the engine for holding the electrodes normally in contact with each other, substantially as shown; together with an arm secured to the piston of the engine and adapted to strike the bent end of the working electrode or rockbar O and move the same away from the stationary electrode at each reciprocation of said piston, for the purpose set forth.

3. In combination with an explosive-engine, of the stationary electrode C projecting within the cylinder, a working electrode comprising a rock-bar C the inner end of which is bent at an angle and the terminal beveled presenting an inclined surface which contacts with one side of the stationary electrode, a handle G mounted on the outer end of the working electrode, and a spring II connected Ato the handle and to a stationary part of the engine for holding the electrodes normally in contact with each other; together with an arm projecting from the piston of the engine and adapted to strike the bent end of the working electrode or rock-bar and operate the same against the action of the spring at each reciprocation of said piston, for the purpose set forth.

4t. The combination with an explosive-en- ICO IIO

gine having a cylinder-head with an opening therein, a frame or casting B secured over said opening and presenting projections or housings b and b2, an insulated stationary electrode C mounted Within the housing b' to project Within the cylinder of the engine, a Working electrode C comprising a rock-bar bearing` in the other housing and presenting an end which projects Within the cylinder and is bent ,at an angle and provided with a-beveled terminal which contacts with one side of the inner end of the stationary electrode, a handle- G mounted on the outer end of the Working electrode or rock-bar, and a spring II connected to said handle and to a stationary part 15 of the engine to hold the electrodes normally in contact with each other; together With an arm projecting from the piston of the engine to operate the Working electrode against the action of the spring at each reciprocation of 2o said piston, substantially as shown and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

WILLIAM F. DAVIS. IVitnesses:

THOMAS EASENDEN,A Jr., F. E. MANNING. 

